The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 2 — Section 273

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-12.-The redemption of Jerusalem. I. THE SUMMONS. It comes from the Divine representatives. She had been called upon to arise e.nd to stand up, and now she is to put on her streugth and her robes. "Strength returns to Zion when the arm of Jehovah is mighty within her." It is useless to counterfeit the semblance of strength which does not exist. Nor is strength merely a matter of the will; but there ever is a secret fund of strength in the heartH of those who know that God bas not forsaken them. In a sense, hope comes to those who rouse themselves from dejection, and "power to him that power exerts." 'l'he highest success promised is to human endeavour, and is not t-0 be enjoyed witMtJ,t human endeavour. The beautiful gannents are to be put on in preparation for the era of moral beauty and holiness. '!'here is a true symbolism in dress. There is a garb appropriate to mourning and woe; nnother attire becomes the spirit of gladness and expectation. A.nd there is, so to speak, a dress of the soul:-a habit of the mind which expresses the hope of better things even amidst darkness and disappointment. A.s there were robea, figuratively speaking, which became a holy and priestly city; as there were seemly robes for Aaron the priest ;-even so for him who looks upon himself as a " king and priest unto God," there is a suitable bearing and character, determined by the sense c,f the high destiny in store. "Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as be is pure." So high a destinv is in store for Jerusalem; no more are the unclean to enter her sacred precincts (cf. Joel iii. 17), but only the worshippers of the true God. 'l'ypically, the promise points to future times, when the Church of God shall be pure as when, in the great world-harvest, the tares shall be gathered out, and the wheat be gathered into the eternal garner. Let, then, Jerusalem shake herself from thedust,-frorn 1hat posture which expresses mourn- ing aud humiliation (Job ii. 13), and take a lofty and honourable place. "Ascend thy lofLy seat!" (Louth). "Arise and sit erect" (Noyes). "Rise, sit upon the throne of dlI, LII.1-16.) THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAil. 283